July 8, 2005

Mackinaw City, Mich.- Mackinac State Historic Parks will host an art show featuring the work of Robert Griffing Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17 at the Visitors' Center of Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.

Griffing is renowned for his illustrations of 18th-century Eastern Woodland Indians. The art show features framed and matted prints, videos, stationery and note cards depicting 18th-century Native American and military heritage.  Hardbound copies of the colorfully illustrated The Art of Robert Griffing will also be available.

Admission to the Griffing show is included with Colonial Michilimackinac admission: $9.50 for adults, $6 for youths 6-17, and free for children 5 and under. The art show lasts from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

One of Griffing's most recent works, called The Conspiracy - Fort Michilimackinac - 1863, is set at the historic fort and trading outpost. The painting vividly portrays a group of Ojibwa tribesmen plotting a surprise attack just outside the palisades of Fort Michilimackinac.

"Griffing's work is of the highest quality, and very sought-after," said MSHP Museum Stores Manager Ron Crandell. "To have his show here, at a site that has inspired his work, is very special."

After retiring from a 30-year advertising career in 1992, Griffing turned his attention to illustrating his first love, the 18th-century Eastern Woodland Indian.  His work receives growing interest from collectors across the United States.  Griffing received the prestigious 1999 John Forbes Medal for his contributions to the study of eastern frontier history.

The Colonial Michilimackinac Visitor's Center is located under the south end of the Mackinac Bridge.  The living history site features live interpretation of military life, fur trade activities and daily life in the 1770s.  Interactive demonstrations include rifle and cannon firing, cooking, canoe rides and more.

Mackinac State Historic Parks, a family of living history museums and parks in Northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac region, is an agency of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries.  The sites include Fort Mackinac, Historic Downtown and Mackinac Island State Park on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Historic Mill Creek and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City.  The sites are accredited by the American Association of Museums.  More information is available on the Web at www.mackinacparks.com, and by phone at (906) 847-3328 or (231) 436-4100.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.